In this Aug. 3 photo, vehicles occupy both sides of Escolta Street in Manila, reducing the road to a single lane for passing motorists.

THE METRO MANILA COUNCIL (MMC) on Tuesday signed a resolution prohibiting street parking on national primary roads, with localized bans on secondary roads, ahead of the Christmas rush.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando S. Artes announced the measure during a press conference following the MMC meeting.

Mr. Artes said that national secondary roads may also be covered by the parking ban in accordance with the ordinance of each local government unit (LGU).

The ban may be enforced during rush hours—between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., and 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Parking ban on national tertiary roads is also up to the LGU’s discretion.

The holiday alternate routes, known as Mabuhay Lanes may be exempt from the parking ban provided that the road is wide enough or serves as a key commercial area, like Recto Street in Manila.

Mr. Artes said the street parking ban is set to be implemented before the Christmas rush, and the affected roads will be announced soon.

The penalties under the new resolution will follow the existing Traffic Code, Republic Act (RA) 4136.

MMC President and San Juan City Mayor Francis M. Zamora clarified that the measure will not impose a full parking ban, acknowledging the reality on the ground, that the capital lacks enough parking space. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

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